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I had joined the congregation on the hill-side . Towards the conclusion of the service , I observed with some surprise and more pleasure that my friend L was standing among the trees at a little distance , and ( as I knew by his attitude of attention ) within hearing of the preacher . Before
the last notes of the hymn died away , he was gone ; but not towards home . As I was about to enter the village in company with some of the visitors , I met him , and immediately turned back with him . As we passed within sight of the chapel , we observed Edwards standing in the door-way , speaking to the children of the Sunday School , as they were about to depart with their books .
< Your primitive preacher is in his glory to-day , " observed L . " He is idoli ^ exLbyjffie people here , but what would be thought of his services in the next cathedral ?" " Primitive preaching would be misplaced in a cathedral , " I replied " But if the worshipers were to admit his teaching to be primitive , and follow him hither to listen to it , they would afford it the highest possible
praise . " 44 There is but little probability , I imagine , that Ed wards ' s services would suit any but those who have heard no others . '' 44 They would suit only hearers of simple habits and tastes . " "And narrow minds . "
Not exactly so . Many a scholar , and many a divine , might hear him with profit and pleasure , if they bring with them the true spirit of religion . Yet he is not the man one would set in the pulpit of a metropolitan church , to lead the devotions of an enlightened society . " 44 You admit then that the best , i . e . primitive preaching is not suited to an enlightened society . " 44
It is with regard to the spirit , and not to the mode , that I call primitive preaching the best . The best mode is that which is most suited to the auditory . " 44 I cannot , " observed L , " believe that religion destined to be universal which must needs be altered and accommodated continually as ^ the fashions of thinking and feeling—mere fashions of the world—change and succeed each other . "
4 i You make no distinction between the spirit and the form , " said I . 44 The same spirit pervades all the preachings of Paul , yet what can be more various than their forms ? The same gospel appeared under a different aspect to the Romans and the Hebrews , and a third mode of address was made use of to the polite Athenians . If Paul had lived to this day , can you suppose that his teaching would not have varied with every century and been adapted to every auditory ? Would he have used the same discourses for a conclave of Cardinals and for the Vaudois ? Would he use the same mode of address in an university and to this little flock among the hills ?" 44 If forms are instituted and modes adopted only to be dismissed or
changed , " replied L , * it would surely be better to dispense with them altogether , and let the religion of every man be between himself and his God While these people were left to be religious in their own way , they were at peace with each other and happy among themselves ; but now that their religion is made a matter of external observance , there will soon be an end of this state of things . The Methodists will be upon us presently ; the Baptists will bo instituting their ceremonies , and by and bye we shall have a church , and the children will be devoutly taught to bow to the cast . And so religion will degenerate . "
Untitled Article
1 rue tVorzhtpers . 309
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1830, page 309, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2584/page/21/
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